So my fellowship group on campus (Cru) started this outreach week, where we would wear t-shirts that said “Before & After.” The point of this was to open up doors to conversations about the words we chose to describe our … Continue reading
What it Means to be a Christian
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A photographer of the IndyCC event captured me celebrating as the ball dropped on New Year’s 2013.
I’ve always been a people pleaser and a peacemaker. I’ve never been one to rock the boat, and when it came to debates, I sat back and watched my friends or family duke it out. But faith and religion is not something I can let someone else decide for me. I’ve grown into my faith the past three years while in college, and it’s taken me some time to confidently speak about it.
Cru, one of the many wonderful fellowship ministries on MSU’s campus, has helped me to gain confidence and knowledge in what it was I actually believed in. It’s easy to get swept away in the ocean of opinions of 45,000 students on Michigan State turf. But Cru is a non-denominational group that encourages the community of college students gathering in a common faith. I’ve met some remarkable people who have shaped me in the last year alone, more than many people have in the last 20 years of my life. A group as accepting as Cru has been truly life changing.
Cru hosts a Christmas Conference for schools in the midwest over winter break. IndyCC takes place in Indianapolis, IN and spans over 5 days, between December 28th to January 1st. I rang in the New Year singing worship songs and praying for the year ahead. It was a wonderful experience, unlike any other event I’ve attended. In fact it was quite a contrast to the festivities I took part in a year prior….
Speakers, pastors, and authors came from all over the country to speak to the 2400 students attending the conference at the JW Marriot (the most beautiful hotel I’ve ever stayed at). The response to our guests was unreal, as every college student there was listening intently, taking notes, and praying in the open. I’ve never seen so many people confidently expressing their faith in public.
SO this is why I’ve decided to blog about my faith. It’s something I’m not only passionate about, but I feel compelled to speak on issues regarding Christianity, the public view of prominent Christian figures, and misconceptions as well some good things that are happening around the country and the world. I hope you can learn something good from it, and if not, I’d love to hear your opinions as well. 
God Bless,
Claire